a town of Asia, in the kingdom of Bengal in the East Indies, situated in E. Long. 92° 10', N. Lat. 23° 45'.—The advantages of the situation of this place, and the fertility of the soil round it, long since made it the centre of an extensive commerce. The courts of Delhi and Muxadavud were furnished from thence with the cottons wanted for their own consumption; and it was formerly the custom of each to maintain an agent on the spot to superintend the manufacture, who had an authority, independent of the magistrate, over the brokers, weavers, embroiderers, and all of the workmen whose business had any relation to the object of his commission. These unhappy people are forbidden, under pecuniary and corporeal penalties, to sell, to any person whatever, a piece exceeding the value of three guineas. Dacca was for eighty years the capital of Bengal.

In this, as in all the other markets, the Europeans treat with the Moorish brokers settled upon the spot, and appointed by the government. They likewise lend their name to the individuals of their own nation, as well as to Indians and Armenians living in their settlements, who, without this precaution, would infallibly be plundered. The Moors themselves, in their private transactions, sometimes avail themselves of the same pretence, that they may pay only two, instead of five per cent. A distinction is observed, in their contracts, between the cottons that are bespoke and those which the weaver ventures, in some places, to manufacture on his own account. The length, the number of threads, and the price, of the former are fixed: nothing further than the commission for the latter is stipulated, because it is impossible to enter into the same detail. These nations that make a point of having fine goods, take proper measures that they may be enabled to advance money to their workmen at the beginning of the year. The weavers, who in general have but little employment at that time, perform their work with less hurry than in the months of October, November, and December, when the demand is pressing.

Some of the cottons are delivered unbleached, and others half bleached. It were to be wished that this custom might be altered. It is very common to see cottons that look very beautiful go off in the bleaching. Perhaps the manufacturers and brokers foresee how they will turn out; but the Europeans have not so exquisite a touch, nor such an experienced eye, to discern this. It is a circumstance peculiar to India, that cottons, of what kind soever they are, can never be well bleached and prepared but in the place where they are manufactured. If they have the misfortune to get damage before they are shipped for Europe, they must be sent back to the places from whence they came.